12504 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

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• Limited Association between HRR Gene Alterations and HRD in Molecular Tumor Board Cancer Samples: Who should be tested for HRD?

  Alterations in Homologous Recombination Repair (HRR) Pathway genes have been found to be associated with HR-Deficiency (HRD), which is an approved biomarker for PARP Inhibitor (PARPi) treatment. The aim of a Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) is to identify molecular alterations in cancer patients with advanced tumors that may suggest off-label treatment options. So far, few studies have analyzed the presence of HRR gene mutations and their association with HRD outside of clinical studies. Currently, no data on HRD testing in the setting of a MTB have been published. For the present study, a cohort of 237 patients encompassing 24 different tumor entities was collected from the MTB of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN. We show that an elevated Genomic Instability Score (GIS ≥ 42) can occur in samples with and without mutations in HRR-related genes. Overall, 38.1% of cancer samples with BRCA1/2 mutations, 10.9% of tumors with alterations in HRR genes other than BRCA1/2, and 4.3% of cancer samples without HRR gene mutations harbored an elevated GIS. Notably, our data show that various inactivating BRCA1/2 mutations are not associated with an elevated GIS. Taken together, panCancer assessment of HRD in addition to BRCA1/2 and other HRR gene mutational analysis is recommended to guide decisions regarding PARPi treatment. Further studies are needed to establish thresholds for GIS in non-ovarian cancer entities. Finally, HRD can be observed in 4.3% of BRCA1/2 and other HRR gene wildtype cancer samples, and may emerge as an independent biomarker for PARPi in the future.

  Study EGAS00001008063

• Plasma DNA aberrations in systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by genomic and methylomic sequencing

  We performed a high-resolution analysis of the biological characteristics of plasma DNA in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients using massively parallel genomic and methylomic sequencing. A number of plasma DNA abnormalities were found. First, aberrations in measured genomic representations (MGRs) were identified in the plasma DNA of SLE patients. The extent of the aberrations in MGRs correlated with anti-double–stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody level. Second, the plasma DNA of active SLE patients exhibited skewed molecular size-distribution profiles with a significantly increased proportion of short DNA fragments. The extent of plasma DNA shortening in SLE patients correlated with the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and anti-dsDNA antibody level. Third, the plasma DNA of active SLE patients showed decreased methylation densities. The extent of hypomethylation correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA antibody level. To explore the impact of anti-dsDNA antibody on plasma DNA in SLE, a column-based protein G capture approach was used to fractionate the IgG-bound and non–IgG-bound DNA in plasma. Compared with healthy individuals, SLE patients had higher concentrations of IgG-bound DNA in plasma. More IgG binding occurs at genomic locations showing increased MGRs. Furthermore, the IgG-bound plasma DNA was shorter in size and more hypomethylated than the non–IgG-bound plasma DNA. These observations have enhanced our understanding of the spectrum of plasma DNA aberrations in SLE and may provide new molecular markers for SLE. Our results also suggest that caution should be exercised when interpreting plasma DNA-based noninvasive prenatal testing and cancer testing conducted for SLE patients.

  Study EGAS00001000962

• Ischemic stroke in a Swedish case-control study.

  Background. Genetic risk scores (GRS), summing up the total effect of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with either coronary risk or cardiovascular risk factors, have been tested for association with ischemic stroke with conflicting results. Recently an association was found between a GRS, based on 29 SNPs discovered by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and hypertension. The aim of our study was to investigate the possible association of the same GRS with ischemic stroke on top of other “traditional risk factors”, also testing its potential improvement in indices of discrimination and reclassification, in a Swedish case-control study. Methods and results. Twenty-nine SNPs were genotyped in 3,677 stroke cases and 2,415 controls included in the Lund Stroke Register (LSR), the Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) study and the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke (SAHLSIS). The analysis was conducted in the entire material, and separately for the three samples. After adjustment for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking habits, the GRS was associated with ischemic stroke in the entire material [OR (95% CI) 1.086 (1.029-1.147) per SD increase in the GRS p=0.003] with similar trends in all three samples; LSR [1.050 (0.967-1.140)]; p=0.25], MDC [1.168 (1.060-1.288); p=0.002] and SAHLSIS [1.124 (0.997-1.267); P=0.055]. Measures of discrimination and reclassification improved marginally using the GRS. Conclusions. A blood pressure GRS is independently associated with ischemic stroke risk in three Swedish case-control studies, however, the effect size is low and adds marginally to prediction of stroke on top of traditional risk factors including hypertension.

  Study EGAS00001000936

• Analysis of RAD51C promoter methylation using targeted bisulfite sequencing (amplicon sequencing) in ovarian cancer pre-clinical models and patient samples.

  In high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC), deleterious mutations in the DNA repair gene RAD51C are established drivers of defective homologous recombination and are emerging biomarkers of PARP inhibitor (PARPi) sensitivity. RAD51C promoter methylation (meRAD51C) is detected at similar frequencies to mutations, yet its effects on PARPi responses remain unresolved. In this study, three HGSC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models with methylation at most or all examined CpG sites in the RAD51C promoter show responses to PARPi. Both complete and heterogeneous methylation patterns were associated with RAD51C gene silencing and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). PDX models lost meRAD51C following treatment with PARPi rucaparib or niraparib, where a single unmethylated copy of RAD51C was sufficient to drive PARPi resistance. Genomic copy number profiling of one of the PDX models using SNP arrays revealed that this resistance was acquired independently in two genetically distinct lineages. In a cohort of 11 patients with RAD51C-methylated HGSC, various patterns of meRAD51C were associated with genomic 'scarring', indicative of HRD history, but exhibited no clear correlations with clinical outcome. Differences in methylation stability under treatment pressure were also observed between patients, where one HGSC was found to maintain meRAD51C after 6 lines of therapy (4 platinum-based), whilst another HGSC sample was found to have heterozygous meRAD51C and elevated RAD51C gene expression (relative to homozygous meRAD51C controls) after only neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. As meRAD51C loss in a single gene copy was sufficient to cause PARPi resistance in PDX, methylation zygosity should be carefully assessed in previously treated patients when considering PARPi therapy.

  Study EGAS00001005395

• IL7-receptor expression is frequent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and predicts sensitivity to JAK-inhibition

  T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with a dismal prognosis related to refractory/relapsing diseases, raising the need for new targeted-therapies. Activating mutations of the IL7-receptor pathway genes (IL7Rp) play a proven leukemia-supportive role in T-ALL. JAK-inhibitors such as ruxolitinib have recently demonstrated preclinical efficacy. However, prediction markers for sensitivity to JAK-inhibitors are still lacking. Herein, we show that IL7R (CD127) expression is more frequent (~70%) than IL7Rp-mutations in T-ALL (~30%). We compared the so-called non-expressers (no IL7R-expression/IL7Rp-mutation), expressers (IL7R-expression without IL7Rp-mutation) and mutants (IL7Rp-mutations). Integrative multi-omics analysis outlined IL7R-deregulation in virtually all T-ALL subtypes, at the epigenetic-level in non-expressers, genetic-level in mutants, and post-transcriptional level in expressers. Ex-vivo data using primary-derived xenografts support that IL7Rp is functional whenever the IL7R is expressed, regardless of the IL7Rp mutational status. Consequently, ruxolitinib impaired T-ALL survival in both expressers and mutants. Interestingly, we show that expressers displayed ectopic IL7R-expression and IL7Rp-addiction conferring a deeper sensitivity to ruxolitinib. Conversely, mutants were more sensitive to venetoclax than expressers. Overall, combination of ruxolitinib and venetoclax resulted in synergistic effects in both groups. We illustrate the clinical relevance of this association by reporting achievement of complete remission in two patients with refractory/relapsed-T-ALL. This provides proof of concept for translation of this strategy into clinics as bridge to transplant. Altogether, IL7R-expression can be used as a biomarker for sensitivity to JAK-inhibition, thereby expanding the fraction of T-ALL patients eligible to ruxolitinib up to nearly ~70% of T-ALL.

  Study EGAS00001007144

• The subclonal architecture of metastatic breast cancer: Results from a prospective community-based rapid autopsy program 'CASCADE'

  Background: Understanding the cancer genome is seen as a key step in improving outcomes for cancer patients. Genomic assays are emerging as a possible avenue to personalised medicine in breast cancer. The majority of work in this area has targeted primary tumours however, and very few studies have performed comprehensive profiling of advanced disease. Evolution of the cancer genome during the natural history of breast cancer is largely unknown, as is the profile of disease at death. We sought to study in detail these aspects of advanced breast cancers that have resulted in lethal disease. Methods and Findings: Three patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and one patient with triple negative breast cancer underwent rapid autopsy as part of an institutional prospective community-based rapid autopsy program. Cases represented a range of management problems in breast cancer, including late relapse after early stage disease; de novo metastatic disease; discordant disease response and disease refractory to treatment. Between 5 and 12 metastatic sites were collected at autopsy together with available primary tumours and longitudinal metastatic biopsies taken during life. Samples underwent paired tumour-normal whole exome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Subclonal architectures were inferred by jointly analysing all samples from each patient. Mutations were validated using high depth amplicon sequencing.Between cases, there were significant differences in mutational burden, driver mutations, mutational processes and copy number variation. Within each case, we found dramatic heterogeneity in subclonal structure from primary to metastatic disease and between metastatic sites, such that no single lesion captured the breadth of disease. Metastatic cross seeding was found in each case and treatment drove subclonal diversification. Subclones displayed parallel evolution of treatment resistance in some cases, and apparent augmentation of key oncogenic drivers as an alternative resistance mechanism. We also observed the key role of mutational processes in subclonal evolution.Limitations of this study include the potential for bias introduced by joint analysis of formalin fixed archival specimens with fresh specimens, and the difficulties in resolving subclones with whole exome sequencing. Other alterations that could define subclones such as structural variants or epigenetic modifications were not assessed. Conclusions: This study highlights the variety of mechanisms that shape the genome of metastatic breast cancer, and the value of studying advanced disease in detail. Treatment drives significant genomic heterogeneity in breast cancers which has implications for disease monitoring and treatment selection in the personalised medicine paradigm.

  Study EGAS00001002153

• Hydroxyurea to Prevent Organ Damage in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia (BABY HUG) Phase III Clinical Trial and Follow-Up Observational Studies I and II

  Sickle cell anemia is associated with substantial morbidity from acute complications and organ dysfunction beginning in the first year of life. In 1995, the Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea (MSH) (dbGaP phs002348) demonstrated that, in adults, hydroxyurea is effective in decreasing the frequency of painful crises, hospitalizations for crises, acute chest syndrome, and blood transfusions by 50%. The phase I/II study of hydroxyurea in children (HUG KIDS) demonstrated that children have a response to hydroxyurea similar to that seen in adults in terms of increasing fetal hemoglobin levels and total hemoglobin, and decreasing complications associated with sickle cell anemia. In addition, this study demonstrated that the drug does not adversely affect growth and development between the ages of 5 and 15. A pilot study of hydroxyurea (HUSOFT) given to children between the ages of 6 months and 24 months demonstrated that the drug was well tolerated and that the fetal hemoglobin levels rose and remained elevated compared to baseline with continued hydroxyurea administration. A Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) met on April 12, 1996 to review the results of the MSH trial and the progress to date of the HUG KIDS study. The SEP recommended that NHLBI undertake the BABY HUG trial. The BABY HUG Randomized Controlled Trial concluded that hydroxyurea treatment in very young children seemed to have an acceptable safety profile and to reduce complications of sickle cell anemia. However, more data were needed on the long-term safety of hydroxyurea use in very young children. As a result, follow-up studies were initiated. The Follow-Up Study II provided longer follow-up than Follow-Up Study I, and included more assessment types than Follow-Up Study I.The BABY HUG program consisted of three related studies, each of which has associated datasets and bio-specimens. A randomized controlled trial comparing hydroxyurea to placebo in very young children with sickle cell anemia (BABY HUG Randomized Controlled Trial) The first observational follow-up study of children from the randomized controlled trial (BABY HUG Follow-Up Study I). All children in Follow-Up Study I were offered the option of taking open-label hydroxyurea, with treatment decisions made by the family and the clinical team caring for the child. The second observational follow-up study of children from BABY HUG Follow-Up Study I. All children in Follow-Up Study II were offered the option of taking open-label hydroxyurea, with treatment decisions made by the family and the clinical team caring for the child.The purpose of the Randomized Controlled Trial was to determine if hydroxyurea can safely prevent early end organ damage in very young children with sickle cell anemia. The purpose of the BABY HUG Follow-up Study I was to provide structured follow-up of the children enrolled in the BABY HUG Randomized Controlled Trial, in order to characterize the long-term toxicities and unexpected risks (if any) associated with treatment with hydroxyurea at an early age. The objective of Follow-Up Study II was to obtain additional data about the long-term safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea use in children with Sickle Cell Anemia through at least the first decade of life.Instructions for requesting individual-level data are available on BioData Catalyst at https://biodatacatalyst.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/data/. Apply for data access in dbGaP. Upon approval, users may begin accessing requested data in BioData Catalyst. For questions about availability, you may contact the BioData Catalyst team at https://biodatacatalyst.nhlbi.nih.gov/contact.

  Study phs002415

• Heart Failure Network - Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibition to Improve Clinical Status and Exercise Capacity in Diastolic Heart Failure (HFN RELAX-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Related StudyEcho images are available through HFN RELAX-ImagingObjectivesThe RELAX trial tested the hypothesis that chronic phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor therapy with sildenafil would improve exercise capacity and clinical status in heart failure patients with normal ejection fraction, as compared to placebo. Background Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common and highly morbid condition that is characterized by chronic exercise intolerance, progressive functional decline and a high rate of readmission. At the time of the RELAX trial, clinical trials of renin-angiotensin system antagonists had not demonstrated improvement in outcomes or clinical status in HFpEF, and effective therapies were needed. Phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) metabolizes the nitric oxide (NO) and natriuretic peptide (NP) systems' second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and thus may limit beneficial NO and NP actions in the heart, vasculature and kidney. Pre-clinical studies suggest that inhibition of PDE-5 reverses adverse cardiac structural and functional remodeling and enhances vascular, neuroendocrine and renal function. In clinical studies, PDE-5 inhibitor therapy improved exercise tolerance and clinical status in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A small, single-center study in HFpEF observed improved hemodynamics, left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, right ventricular (RV) systolic function, LV hypertrophy and lung function with chronic PDE-5 inhibition as compared to placebo. In aggregate, these studies suggested the potential for PDE-5 inhibition to ameliorate several key pathophysiological perturbations in HFpEF, and thus improve exercise capacity and clinical status. ParticipantsA total of 216 participants were enrolled in the trial with 113 in the Sildenafil group and 103 in the placebo group. Design Participants who met screening criteria underwent baseline studies including a history and physical examination, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPXT), six-minute walk distance, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ), echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and phlebotomy for biomarkers. Subjects were then randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to either the sildenafil or placebo intervention group. The study drug was administered orally at 20 mg three times daily (TID) for 12 weeks. If the dose was well tolerated at 12 weeks, it was increased to 60 mg TID for another 12 weeks. If side effects developed, study staff could recommend discontinuation or return to a lower or previously tolerated dose of study drug. Sildenafil levels 2 hours after a scheduled dose of study drug were obtained at 12 and 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was exercise capacity determined by change in peak oxygen consumption during the CPXT after 24 weeks of therapy. Secondary endpoints included change in six-minute walk distance at 12 and 24 weeks, change in peak oxygen consumption at 12 weeks, and a three tier score reflective of clinical status where patients were ranked based on time to death (lowest tier), time to cardiovascular or cardiorenal hospitalization (middle tier), and change in the MLWHFQ for patients alive without cardiovascular or cardiorenal hospitalization after 24 weeks (highest tier). Conclusions Chronic phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor therapy with sildenafil for 24 weeks did not alter exercise capacity or clinical status compared to placebo in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

  Study phs003565

• Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of Extrachromosomal DNA with Amplicon Architect

  The study is related to our manuscript entitled "Single-cell genetic heterogeneity linked to immune infiltration in glioblastoma". Using multiplexed FISH analysis of 3-4 tumor cores from 17 glioblastoma formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors, we identified two classes of tumors based on single cell co-occurrence of EGFR and CDK4 amplification. Tumors with a low odds ratio for finding EGFR and CDK4 amplified in the same cell (ORlow tumors) had higher EGFR copy number and higher diversity of copy number in cells harboring EGFR amplification. This suggested that in ORlow tumors EGFR is likely present on extrachromosomal DNA. To test this hypothesis, we performed whole genome sequencing on DNA extracted from FFPE slides from 3 ORlow samples and 3 ORhigh samples and used AmpliconArchitect to investigate the structure of the EGFR amplicon. We found multiple breakpoints and high complexity structure in the 3 tested ORlow samples, but not in the ORhigh samples, supporting the possibility of an extrachromosomal nature of EGFR amplification in the first group.

  Study phs003100

• Juvenile Sjogren's Syndrome (JSS) Transcriptome Study

  Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder with major clinical manifestations of dryness in the eyes and mouth, fatigue, and joint pain. Our interdisciplinary experts in SjD at the University of Florida newly discovered and established a cohort of SjD in children. Many of these patients with childhood SjD (cSjD) demonstrated a prominent feature of recurrent parotitis (RP). To understand the immunopathogenesis of childhood SjD (cSjD) for the first time in the field, we profiled the transcriptome of five groups of four PBMC samples by unbiased, high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq): cSjD (n=4), non-cSjD (n=4), biopsy-positive non-cSjD (BP, n=4), biopsy-positive non-cSjD with RP (BPRP, n=4), and healthy controls (HC, n=4). In this study, RNA sequencing data, as well as all barcodes.tsv.gz, features.tsv.gz, and matrix.mtx.gz that may be used to create a Seurat object in R, will be availableTo protect the confidentiality of subjects, certain data were not assessed or collected in the subject phenotype dataset, such as race, age, height, weight, and education.

  Study phs003048